New coach offers different brand of McCutcheon basketball

Former Tri-County coach now in charge of Mavericks

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McCutcheon head coach Tyler Scherer talks to his players during a timeout as they face West Lafayette Wednesday, November 22, 2017, in West Lafayette. McCutcheon defeated West Lafayette 61-60.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)Buy Photo

LAFAYETTE — Since 1985, Rick Peckinpaugh has stomped along the McCutcheon bench.

He shouted across the court to players so loud, fans in the upper portion of gymnasiums could hear him clearly. Occasionally, Peckinpaugh even got on an official or two.

He was more mild mannered in his final years, but every bit as successful. Actually more successful, exiting with three straight sectional championships and a Class 4A runner-up finish in his final three seasons before retiring after last season.

Tyler Scherer does not stomp. His instruction shouting is less boisterous and he remains mostly calm regardless of the scenario playing out on the court.

Not to say Scherer's method doesn't work.

In six seasons at Tri-County, he won more than 100 games, two sectional titles and never had a losing record. Last season, the Cavaliers entered the postseason ranked No. 1 in Class A.

"Coach Scherer is a pretty chill coach," senior point guard Robert Phinisee said. "He's really laid back and lets us play our game. He is a pretty easy transition and I feel like he's doing a good job."

On Wednesday night, Scherer saw defensive lapses in a 61-60 victory over West Lafayette. He watched his new team misfire on one shot after another.

Yet, the Mavericks left victorious.

In the most tense of situations, Scherer was collected.

He's still learning his team as much as it is learning him.

"We're a work in progress just like every other team in the state right now," Scherer said. "It feels good to be in that position, 1-0, and be able to work on and improve things.

Scherer has a luxury most first-year head coaches do not in Phinisee, a future Indiana Hoosier point guard whose never lost a sectional game.

At that position, there's no worry. But the challenge comes in providing McCutcheon its best opportunity to win at the other four spots and with the right pieces rotating in.

"We are mixing in some returning players, but also some guys getting their first experience with varsity basketball," Scherer said. "That's a big time learning curve."

Noteworthy: The Mavericks have won three straight sectional titles. Three players who started last season return with Kelden Tyson starting part of last year in the post and Isaac Angstadt filling that role the latter half of the year. Indiana signee Phinisee begins his third season as the team's starting point guard. Rowen Farrell was the JV team's leading scorer last season and eventually found a role on the varsity roster, helping the Mavericks push to the sectional crown.